MOUNT COOK & TASTE AN ICEBERG ON A GLACIAL LAKE
Aoraki / Mount Cook is New Zealand's highest mountain.
Summit height is 3,724 metres (12,218 feet). Mount Cook is in the Southern Alps. The mountain range runs the length of the South Island.
Small boat tours are available on Tasman Lake a short drive away by tour vehicle from the Hermitage Hotel. Many floating icebergs are on the lake.
Taste an iceberg on the lake.
Hermitage Hotel Mount Cook. Located in a valley. Has floor to ceiling windows in the hotel lobby with closeup spectacular snow capped mountain views. Houses the Sir Edmund Hillary museum. Hotel has ten floors. Spectacular room views.
In fair weather, I walked solo part of the very steep hiking trail behind and above the Hermitage Hotel. Soon out of sight of all buildings and surrounded by snow covered mountain sides. Trail followed a walkway along the lower slopes above a valley disappearing between the hills. Came across a walkway sign explaining unmarked possible avalanche areas ahead. As deep avalanche rumblings could be heard echoing around the mountains I thought it prudent to turn about and return to the safety of the Hermitage Hotel.
Glacial Lake experience. Pickup arranged via the Hermitage Hotel. Tour group transfered and driven a short distance to the Tasman Lake and Tasman Glacier by the tour operator. Tour begins the otherside of a mountain which is often snow capped between the lake and the Hermitage Hotel. Tours conducted by a tender craft and a guide. Water is pale green. No marine life live in the lake water. Large and small icebergs float around the lake pushed by wind. Carved from the Tasman Glacier at the alpine end of the lake. Boat operator snags a very small iceberg for people to examine and taste small pieces. Large boat exclusion zone from the glacier edge for safety. Tour is valve for money. A unique experience.
Traveldriven
ENTER CLICK/TAP
DRIVE CHRISTCHURCH-MOUNT COOK-QUEENSTOWN
TASMAN GLACIER BOAT
ICEBERG LAKE
CLICK TO ENTER MOUNT COOK MAP
